New effort aims at curbing hit-and-runs

Published: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 9:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 9:57 p.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol has announced their participation in the “Hit & Run: Bad 2 Worse” campaign.

The program is a joint effort with several agencies to reduce “the number of hit-and-run crashes in Florida by educating drivers on their responsibilities if involved in a crash and the consequences they face if they leave a crash scene” according to the department’s website section — www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/HitRun/ — which indicates there has been an increase in the number of fatal hit-and-run crashes in the state in the previous two years.

The campaign is being conducted along with Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Florida Department of Transportation, according to the FHP website.

The FHP website indicates FHP Troop B, headquartered in Ocala, continues to investigate a June 1, 2013, motorcycle fatality on westbound U.S. 90 in Suwanee county. The website states “little is information is known” about the other vehicles or vehicles involved in the crash.

The “Hit & Run: Bad 2 Worse” program seeks to inform drivers what to do after a hit-and-run crash using the acronym “CRASH” as detailed on the website:

<p>The Florida Highway Patrol has announced their participation in the “Hit & Run: Bad 2 Worse” campaign.</p><p>The program is a joint effort with several agencies to reduce “the number of hit-and-run crashes in Florida by educating drivers on their responsibilities if involved in a crash and the consequences they face if they leave a crash scene” according to the department's website section — www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/HitRun/ — which indicates there has been an increase in the number of fatal hit-and-run crashes in the state in the previous two years.</p><p>The campaign is being conducted along with Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Florida Department of Transportation, according to the FHP website.</p><p>The FHP website indicates FHP Troop B, headquartered in Ocala, continues to investigate a June 1, 2013, motorcycle fatality on westbound U.S. 90 in Suwanee county. The website states “little is information is known” about the other vehicles or vehicles involved in the crash.</p><p>The “Hit & Run: Bad 2 Worse” program seeks to inform drivers what to do after a hit-and-run crash using the acronym “CRASH” as detailed on the website:</p><p>* Call law enforcement</p><p>* Remain calm</p><p>* Attain vehicle, witness and driver information</p><p>* Sketch the scene, showing vehicle crash locations</p><p>* Help the injured</p><p>The FHP lists these facts for the state of Florida on the website:</p><p>* Hit-and-run crashes involving fatalities increased from 162 in 2011 to 168 in 2012</p><p>* The number of statewide crashes statewide totaled 69,994 in 2012</p><p>* Three out of every five fatalities in 2012 were pedestrians struck in hit and run crashes</p><p>The website details the Florida law and penalties:</p><p>* The driver must immediately stop and remain at the scene, must exchange information and render reasonable assistance to any injured persons.</p><p>* Leaving the scene of a crash involving a death is a first-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in a state correctional facility and/or a fine of up to $10,000.</p><p>* Leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries is a third-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in a state correctional facility and/or a fine up to $5,000.</p><p>* Leaving the scene involving property damage is a second-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in a county jail and/or fine of $500.</p>